Microsatellite mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with carcass traits on chromosome 1 in Japanese quail

The purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions of quantitative trait loci (QTL)، affecting carcass traits on chromosome 1 in an F2 population of Japanese quail. For this purpose، a three-generation resource population was developed by using two distinct Japanese quail strains، wild (meat type) and white (layer type). Eight pairs of white and wild birds were crossed reciprocally and 34 F1 birds were produced. The F1 birds were intercrossed to generate 422 F2 offspring. Phenotypic data including weight of carcass parts were collected on F2 birds. All of the animals from three generations (47 birds) were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers on chromosome 1. QTL analysis was performed with least squares interval mapping method fitting three various statistical models. Significant QTL were identified for breast weight، carcass weight، head weight and percentage of breast. There was also evidence for imprinted QTL affecting breast weight، a carcass part of high economic value، on chromosome 1. The proportion of the F2 phenotypic variation explained by the significant additive، dominance and imprinted QTL effects ranged from 1. 8 to 2. 3، 1. 2 to 3. 3 and 0. 5 to 2. 2 percent، respectively.